Wonderful remembrance. Sorry to hear that Paul Newman was so... petty.
Probably more mercilessly realistic than petty.
Movies and acting are all perception and short leading men don’t do as well. In the movies height can only be perceived via comparison, so a short man is only short if taller men are on stage.
If George Kennedy was a more traditional guy (I didn’t know
his politics) and came across to Mr. Newman (who was a well-known liberal)
there was bound to be some friction. George seemed to have humility and appreciated his roles and would always have been a supporting cast member.
I don’t know why Newman may have feared him apart from the talent angle
in Cool Hand Luke.
I remember reading about William F. Buckley’s recollection of his famous
television slugfest with Gore Vidal and how after the event, Paul Newman
(apparently there with Vidal) insisted that Buckley apologize. I believe he wanted
Bill to apologize because he thought Buckley’s insult was personal
and Vidal’s political.
Anyways, Newman couldn’t have had a better nemesis portrayed in that film (who becomes his friend) than George Kennedy. Great casting!